Precis 2

Early Days on Eyre Peninsula 2

SETTLEMENT OF PORT LINCOLN

In this week's instalment of his account of the settlement of Port Lincoln, Mr. Somerville tells of the completion of plans for the special survey and of the hoisting of the Union Jack at Happy Valley, close to the foreshore on the spot now set apart as a reserve.

Among the pioneers mentioned are Capt. H. C. Hawson, whose brother Frank was speared by blacks, and Mr. Matthew Smith, a special magistrate, who was one of the first barristers to practise in Adelaide upon his retirement from the Bench here. Mr. Smith was the grandfather Misses Jane Isabella and Margaret Amelia Smith, of Malvern, who have many friends among older residents of Port Lincoln.

While plans for the acquisition by the public of land in Port Lincoln were being made in Adelaide, Mr. McLaren was making his examination at Port Lincoln and no doubt feeling sure that the land would soon be in the South Australian Company's hand.

On one of the hills overlooking Boston Bay, he left in a bottle a memento of his trip. Subsequently it was found by Mr. Winter, the association's surveyor. The inscription was : — " 26 February, 1839 — David McLaren, Henry Mildred, Gilbert Mutchison (master, schooner Victoria), McNamara (seaman, schooner Victoria)."

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